Who loves Revolvers?

You know i was thinking today that it is about time that i get a wheel gun. I own all dao semi auto pistols. the first handguns i learned on and the only handguns i shot for a long time were wheel guns. i remeber the found memories of that S&w model 19 . 586, 686 and etc. my dad still ownes all these and i know one day they will be mine, but everyone needs a few of there own. Heck i even like my moms little taurus .38 special.not much to it and not much money but they do the trick! So i think i am gonna put everything else on hold and get me a nice snubby .357 as my next gun, maybe as my promoition gun like a present to myself! So what would you guys go with as a first wheel gun. i am used to shooting them so no need to start out small. i want a .357 snubby, brand dosen't matter as long as it is good quality. i would say a budget of $375- $450 at most. any thoughts? Thanks!

How small of a snubby do you want? I like my 2&1/2" S&W M66 (stainless version of the 19). Going a little smaller the Ruger SP-101 is a nifty little revolver. Going smallest the S&W M60 and M642 have quite a following here. Taurus also makes J Frame sized pieces that are reported to be of very good quality.

symr00

August 13, 2006, 08:59 PM

I'm kind of biased, but if you want a good quality snubby that can shoot .357 comfortably I would look at the Ruger SP101. It is right in your price range.

Vern Humphrey

August 13, 2006, 08:59 PM

Most .357 snubbies turn into .38 Specials after you shoot them with full-charge .357 loads for the first time.;)

If you want to actually shoot .357 ammo in it, I'd recommend the Ruger SP 101. I wouldn't even look at some of the fly-weight alloy revolvers on the market -- they're for masochists only.

CSA 357

August 13, 2006, 09:08 PM

well you might as well do it rite, get you a k frame smith 19 or a 66 , i have a few k frames but most of mine are n frames, you will love the 19 or 66! *csa*:D

el44vaquero

August 13, 2006, 09:10 PM

That's kinda like asking who likes stippers? Of course everyone does!

possum

August 13, 2006, 09:16 PM

How small of a snubby do you want? I like my 2&1/2"

i think that would be perfect, i like that size barrel.

I would look at the Ruger SP101. It is right in your price range.
I have never shot a ruger revolver but these look pretty sweet and the price ain't bad at all

el44vaquero,
I am willing to bet that by your handle you like them just a little, even rugers huh!

Thanks to everyone for the responses, Jezz you guys are good!

Marko Kloos

August 13, 2006, 09:30 PM

All my handguns are revolvers. I like simplicity, reliability, and not having to chase brass. Six for sure, and I feel no need to carry half a box of ammo around in my gun to feel well armed.

Smith357

August 13, 2006, 09:44 PM

I have not owned a semi-auto pistol in years. I just like the look, feel, and reliability of my wheelguns. Show me an out of the box semi that never jams, cost less than $350 and can shoot a 100 shot group at 25 yards as tight as my K38 and I might consider getting one again.

ccw007

August 13, 2006, 10:24 PM

I have a S&W model 60 snub-nosed in 357 that is fun to shoot. I thought recoil would have been worse, but it actually was not bad to me. My wife shoots it too with no problems. I could see how the Ruger would be a great choice though.

ronto

August 14, 2006, 12:17 AM

I did a lot of research probably a few months....I went with the Ruger SP101...you won't be sorry.

Old Fuff

August 14, 2006, 01:32 AM

The Old Fuff is not an advocate of .357 snubbies, and prefers to either stick to .38 Specials in this size of revolver, or move up to a larger .44 or .45 bore. Go to a longer barrel and it's a different story.

That said,if you want to shoot .357 cartridge regularly the only small revolver that will stand up to the punishment in the long run is Ruger's SP-101. This is not only my opinion, but that of engineers I've talked to that work for the ammunition companies - especially those that make the hottest stuff.

sm

August 14, 2006, 02:12 AM

I agree with Old Fuff.

Marko's post is worth a re-read as well. I currently carry a Semi, but I have no qualms in carrying a Revolver as I have done so.

I am a big proponent of dedicated .38spls. Vern Humphrey I agree with, most ".357 snubbies" end up being "dedicated .38spls" - then we are asked how to remove the burn ring.

My favorite "snubby" - 3" K frame RB, Model 10 or 64.

Working with folks like I choose to, I prefer to teach with a .22 medium frame revolver, then transition to Medium frame Dedciated .38spl. I still contend learning this way teaches correct basic fundamentals of handgun shooting - even if one transitions to another Platform.

In sharing we do go to a semi in .22 and then 9mm and .45. I let the students shoot 5 rds into 1/4 sheet of typing paper at 5 yds timed, the paper tells the student which gun and loads THEY shoot best.

This test is good for a seasoned shooter, whom due to injury , age , arthritis...whatever THEY shoot best.

Honest? For what most use a CCW for, and the distances most likely to have to actually use, such as answering a door, getting to and exiting a vehicle, or driving a vehicle...

Marko is correct.

I was out with the ladies I assist and kids - kind of group of us that hang out together.

All the ladies, and one grandpa were carrying revolvers. SP101, Model 10, Colt Detetive Specials...

I was the only one carrying a semi - my "niche gun".

Kids fussed at me - I forgot to bring my 1928 Colt DS, Model 64 3" HB RB and Model 10 snubby. Well actually it would have meant having to make a special trip as I was out and about and did not come from the route I normally do.

Kids...Speer Plastic training bullets. They are having fun shooting these [ as are we adults] and they like "that really old gun you have - even older than Grandpa".

Grandpa was born in '38 IIRC ;)

ranger53

August 14, 2006, 04:59 AM

I love my 38 special(S&W) and my Ruger Blackhawk 45 colt:D
tommy

ugaarguy

August 14, 2006, 06:47 AM

ranger53, welcome to THR!

possum

August 14, 2006, 07:43 AM

Yeah welcome ranger!

so if i go wo with the sp101 should i get the spurless hammer or not? Thanks again, and once again ya'll are a great help!

ugaarguy

August 14, 2006, 08:16 AM

Possum, how big are your pockets? Most folks say the SP-101 is just this side of too big for pocket carry. Pocket carry is the primary advantage of the spurless hammer. Of course if you're planning to use it as a carry piece IWB/OWB the non existant hammer spur is one less thing for clothing to snag on - can't be too safe.

Now on the other hand if this SP-101 will also serve as a go anywhere with you outdoors gun you may want one with the hammer spur. If you're out on the back (x) acres, farm, deer lease, fill in the blank, the ability to take a single action shot to bust a fox, coyote, or whatever varmint with a lil more distance is nice. Shooting single action can also be nice at the range, but the SP-101 aint the range revolver a K-38 or K-22 is.

That's how I see the advantages of hammered vs. hammerless.

possum

August 14, 2006, 08:38 AM

ugaarguy,
This will be more of a go anywhere, gun, i won't be trying to conceal it, and your right after shooting so many revolvers in the past a good single action shot sometimes is what you need, and i can do alright with double action, but that single action, is straight to the point. Thank you for the help i think i will go with the external hammer model.

ugaarguy

August 14, 2006, 08:55 AM

Possum, thats what I love about THR. Sometimes I'll get my brain wrapped around what I think is good idea and not look at the alternatives objectively. Luckily the folks here at THR have let me bounce ideas off of them and lead me to making better decisions. Glad I could help you out the same way other high roaders have helped me out.

Edited to fix a couple left out words.

Magnum Wheel Man

August 14, 2006, 11:01 AM

original question... "who loves revolvers"

I Do... I Do...

my favorite ( well at least the one I shoot most ), is a 4" barreled Stainless GP-100, but I love shooting the single action revolvers also... but the bedroom gun ( an 8 shot 4" barreled stainless 22 mag Taurus ) is a blast to shoot as well... so is my cheap German 9 shot 22 revolver, & my big Dan Wessons... the "chasing brass" comment is my main reason the revolvers are nearly the only thing I carry around the farm any more...

BTW... I agree with the SP-101 for what you are looking for...;)

dragongoddess

August 14, 2006, 11:15 AM

I do and my next revolver looks like its going to be something in .454 Casull.

DWARREN123

August 14, 2006, 12:15 PM

I have 3 Ruger SP-101's in different calibers (22lr, 32 H&R mag, 357 mag) and can suggest a Sp-101. They are built heavy and can take punishment, are priced below S&W but above most other brands and I feel them to be overall a better revolver.

1 LT MPC

August 14, 2006, 04:21 PM

Ruger 3 inch SP101 will cover all the bases.:) I'm referring to holster carry only. The Rugers are not for pocket carry, unless one wears their pants around the ankles.

MCgunner

August 14, 2006, 04:31 PM

For 357, Ruger SP101 3" carry it IWB.

For a pocket, something like a S&W 642. Hammerless is best for pocket carry. I'm like Vern, no pocket .357s for me! I like at LEAST a 3" barrel in that caliber, too.

TallPine

August 14, 2006, 07:11 PM

me :)

I know the issue of reliability is contested, but then I have never heard of anyone feeling the need to shoot 100-200 rounds of a particular ammo through a revolver before trusting it for self defense ;)

plus ... I just like them - single actions especially :D

Confederate

August 14, 2006, 07:12 PM

I know automatics are getting very reliable these days, but I still notice jammings in high stress situations in news articles and crime documentaries. Just small things in passing, like, "...he pulled the trigger again but the [insert name of firearm] jammed...." Thankfully most times these weapons work fine, but with a revolver, it's just one more thing a person generally doesn't have to worry about. Sure, I saw where some clown grabbed his revolver and it wasn't loaded, but I just never hear about revolvers not working.

Unfortunately, most autos fail during high-stress situations where the hand, wrist and so forth aren't perfectly in place, and there's always a small question mark. (One friend had a well-placed .45 fail to stop someone during the Second World War and he never trusted it again, so many of these things are just emotional quirks, too.)

michael_aos

August 14, 2006, 07:27 PM

http://homepage.mac.com/michael_aos/.Pictures/Guns/M67/IMG_5880.jpg

1 LT MPC

August 14, 2006, 09:18 PM

Tallpine, I once had a Taurus .44 special that threw more lead sideways than downrange--and it was new out of the box.:cuss: I had to ream the forcing cone and re-time the gun with less than 50 rounds fired. No problems after that.

Vern Humphrey

August 14, 2006, 09:26 PM

I know the issue of reliability is contested, but then I have never heard of anyone feeling the need to shoot 100-200 rounds of a particular ammo through a revolver before trusting it for self defense

Magazines and feeding are an issue with automatics -- so, yes, you shoot them a lot to ensure reliability. But revolvers have reliability issues, too. Hang around these boards long enough and you'll see some horror stories -- broken transfer bars, barrels breaking off, grit getting under the ejector star and tying the gun up, primers backing out with the same results, and so on.

Revolvers may malfunction slightly less often, but most automatic malfunctions can be cleared with a swipe of the hand. When revolvers pack it it, it's all over.

depcon3

August 16, 2006, 06:36 PM

The first handgun I fired, other than my Uncle Jon's .22 auto, was a S&W Model 19 with .38 wadcutter loads in it. I'll never forget the feeling I got when I saw the groups shrink into the X ring after some practice. :cool: The next one I fired was my older Brother-in-law's Colt 1911A1. :D Since that time, I have bounced around to several different types of handguns for fun and protection at different times but I always come back to the old reliables. I get all weak-kneed and the heart flutters when I wrap my hand around a Smith wheelgun or a 1911 slug chunker. I get a big smile on my face when I hear someone say, "Wow, you don't see too many people carrrying a wheelgun these days." The older I get, the better I like to hear that the things I prefer are not necessarily the popular things.:evil:

TallPine

August 16, 2006, 08:22 PM

Magazines and feeding are an issue with automatics -- so, yes, you shoot them a lot to ensure reliability. But revolvers have reliability issues, too. Hang around these boards long enough and you'll see some horror stories -- broken transfer bars, barrels breaking off, grit getting under the ejector star and tying the gun up, primers backing out with the same results, and so on.

Revolvers may malfunction slightly less often, but most automatic malfunctions can be cleared with a swipe of the hand. When revolvers pack it it, it's all over.
So semi-autos have some sort of magic treatment that keeps all the parts from ever breaking...?

Carry whatever you like and are comfortable with ;)

Vern Humphrey

August 16, 2006, 08:28 PM

So semi-autos have some sort of magic treatment that keeps all the parts from ever breaking...?

Nope -- but follow these forums long enough and you'll see that revolvers aren't without their problems. One feature of revolvers is that tiny parts (the hand) must move massive parts (the cylinder.) And that has to be done at considerable speed, in perfect time. Parts stressed like that are more likely to break than, say the extractor of an automatic.

As I said, automatic malfunctions can usually be cleared quickly. When a revolver packs it in, it can't be so quickly put back into action.

420Stainless

August 16, 2006, 11:14 PM

I prefer semi-autos for carry just for the slim profile. However, as I slip into middle age, revolvers are growing on me.

I just picked up a blued security six with 2-3/4" barrel last week. Hope I don't come to regret not reading Old Fuff's advice before the purchase.

Cousin Mike

August 17, 2006, 02:31 AM

...and I bought my first revolver a little over a month ago. Picked up my second a little over a week ago. I will be picking up a 3rd very soon... As soon as I can afford it.

My next revolver purchase will probably be a Ruger SP 101 in .357 Mag, for a few reasons. I'm enamorated with the .357 Magnum cartridge, and the Ruger SP 101 is small enough to conceal easily, but probably heavy enough that it should be manageable. I like the look of them, and have I never heard anything bad about Ruger revolvers.

My Taurus 608 is an incredible gun. I'll buy more Taurus revolvers in the future, I know that for a fact. I haven't thought about buying auto's recently. I still like my auto's, but I think I'll be on a wheelgun kick for quite some time.

Striker

August 17, 2006, 09:42 AM

Who loves revolvers?

Me, Me, Me!!!!

I echo Marko's and Oleg's thoughts.

On company time I carry the issue auto. On my time, I carry a .357 revolver, most often a Mdl 66 Smith and or a Ruger SP 101 (both with Federal 125 JHPs) with a speedloader reload on the belt and a speed strip reload in the pocket.

Your mileage may vary, but this works for me.

foghornl

August 17, 2006, 10:07 AM

I love revolvers, too...but I am a Single-Action Revolver guy.

Have a "Sheriff's Model" .357 Vaquero (3-1/2" barrel)

50th Year "Flat-Top" .357 Blackhawk

50th Year Single-Six Convertible

my only DA revolver is a Rohm/RG snubby .38Spl 2" barrel.

Dang it, i just GOTTA get a 6" GP-100..or the 3" SP-101

Essex County

August 18, 2006, 03:43 PM

I've shot an SP101 in .357 and I think it's a little too much for ME. It's one heck of a rugged and well designed handgun. If I owned one I'd probably shoot .38's through it and that would offer no real advantage over my model 60. AS much as I like it, it would end up as a belt gun, and I already have that covered with my 21/2 66.....Essex

timn

August 18, 2006, 05:21 PM

When I decided to aquire another revolver I was in a quandry about what caliber I wanted.
Since all I had at the time was .45 semi autos and I reload, I decided to get a .45 acp wheel gun.
I threw up what I thought was a ridiculously low bid on a taurus 455 snubby and won the pistol. When it came in, I figured I just had another semi-useful play toy.
The first trip to the range was a major surprise. The little gun is very accurate, had a decent trigger, and is ton of fun to shoot.
I think it's one of the best handgun purchases that I've made in a long time.
I did a little trigger tuning and spring swapping and have to say it gets as much action as all my semis put together. Even my delicate beautiful flower wife likes to shoot it.
I carry it or have it in the truck most all the time.
Just my opinion. YMMV ;)

I like westerns because nothing ever goes to trial.

Slvr Surfr

August 18, 2006, 06:05 PM

Im with Vern on the reliability of a wheel gun. The second Smith Ive ever owned had a serious malfunction at the range. I fired a full cylinder of mild .38s through it only to have it jam up inside. I could not get the cylinder to spin or release. I took it to the shop I bought it at and luckily the shop owner/shop smith happened to be able to fix it. All it required was a bit of sanding on the tip of the ejector rod where it meets the "breech face". That was all it took to prevent it from working at all. Untill then I assumed that revolvers are pretty much bullet proof.

As far as wheel guns go I prefer Rugers and Smiths for daily use. I have a GP100 that I think is just bullet proof ! My next wheel gun looks like it will be a Sp-101.